Bits and pieces of my life. I am a lifelong Christian. I have been married for over 39 years to Stan. No children. We have 3 Italian Greyhounds: Persephone, Dresden & Capodimonte and a calico cat named Binky. We have 9 nieces/nephews and 9 grandnieces/nephews whom we love. My hobbies are genealogy, reading, digital scrapbooking, history, dogs, homemaking. This is a personal blog and not a business. I share what interests me and I am not selling anything or making a profit.

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Monday, June 27, 2016

Malissa Jane Ensley was born 7/4/1857 in Leicester, Buncombe County, NC to Samuel Bruce Ensley (DOB 6/19/1829 in Sandy Mush, Madison County, NC; DOD 9/14/1896 in Madison County, NC) and Rachel Pauline Cassada (DOB Abt 1835 in Reems Creek, Weaverville, Buncombe County, NC; DOD Abt 1879 in Madison County, NC). She would be my second great grandaunt. She would have been the sister of my direct ancestor, Margaret Alice Ensley Conner. Sallie Ensley was the second eldest child of 12 children, 5 girls and 7 boys.

1880 U.S. Census of Marshall, Madison County, NC, Roll T9_971, Family History Film 1254971. Pg 7.1000. ED 123. Image 0185, Lines 37-48, Dwelling 117, Family 118, "Samul Ensely" (sic, should be Samuel Ensley)Samul Ensely (sic), W(hite), M(ale), 50 yrs old (DOB 1830), Head, Widowed, Born in NC, Father Born in NC, Mother born in NCMully J. Ensely (sic, should be Melissa Jane Ensley), W, F, 33 yrs old (DOB 1847), Daughter, Single, Housekeeper, Cannot read or write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCStockly Ensely (sic, should be Stokely Ensley), W, M, 19 yrs old (DOB 1861), Cannot read or write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCHarly Ensely (sic, should be Harley Ensley), W, M, 15 yrs old (DOB 1865), Son, Cannot read or write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCErnest Ensely, W, M, 12 yrs old (DOB 1868), Son, Attends school, Cannot read or write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCArthun Ensely (sic, should be Arthur Ensley), W, M, 11 yrs old (DOB 1869), Son, Attends school, Cannot read or write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCCharley Ensely (sic, should be Charles Ensley), W, M, 9 yrs old (DOB 1871), Son, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCFlurance Ensely (sic, should be Florence Ensley), W, F, 8 yrs old (DOB 1872), Daughter, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCFonse Ensely (sic, should be Alfonso Ensley), W, M, 6 yrs old (DOB 1874), Son, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCLucsten Ensely (sic), W, M, 4 yrs old (DOB 1876), Son, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCWeyle Ensely (sic), W, M, 4 yrs old (DOB 1876), Son, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCElizabeth Club (sic, should be Clark), W, F, 23 yrs old, Bond Servant, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Dwelling 108, Family 119, Jurder Read (sic, should be Jerel Reed), W, M, 23 (DOB 1857) yrs old, Married, Farmer, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCAllas Read (sic, should be Margaret Alice Ensley Reed), W, F, 21 yrs old (DOB 1859), Wife, Married, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC
Next PageLuretter Read (sic, probably Louester Elmira Ensley) , W, F, 3 yrs old (DOB 1877), Relationship other than family, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCSarah Read (sic, Alice's little sister, Sarah Ensley?), W, F, 2 yrs old (DOB 1878), Relationship other than family, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCElmor Ensely (sic, should be Elmore Ensley), W, M, 20 yrs old (DOB 1860), h***** (illegible relationship), Farmer, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCBell Hunter (sic), W, F, 18 yrs old (DOB 1862), D******** (illegible relationship), Single, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCMcke Conon (sic, should be McCoy Conner) , W, M, 17 yrs old (DOB 1863), h**** (illegible relationship), Single, Farmer, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC (he's living with Jerel and Margaret Alice Ensley Reed, after Jerel dies, Margaret Alice married McCoy Conner)Wm Read, and familyCal Clube, (sic) and familyZ. W. Henderson, M, 44 yrs old (DOB 1836), Married, Farmer, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCAnney Henderson, W, F, 34 yrs old (DOB 1846), Wife, Married, Housekeeper, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCJane E. Henderson, W, F, 10 yrs old (DOB 1870), Daughter, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCMartha E. Henderson, W, F, 8 yrs old (DOB 1872), Daughter, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCHenery R. Henderson (sic), W, M, 6 yrs old (DOB 1874), Son, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCMalay S. Henderson, W, F, 4 yrs old (DOB 1876), Daughter, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCSufrana A. Henderson (sic), W, F, 2 yrs old (DOB 1878), Daughter, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCMarion T. Henderson, W, M, 1 yrs old (DOB 1879), Son, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCJohn Marrell, W, M, 26 yrs old (DOB 1854), Works on farm, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCW.W. Conon (sic, is William Washington Conner, McCoy Conner's brother), W, M, 18 yrs old (DOB 1862), Works on farm, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC

William Franklin Fore got into a little trouble.

The camp meeting was a Protestant Christian religious service originating in England and Scotland. It was similar to the revival meetings we know today. It was held for worship, preaching and communion on the frontier during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century.The Great Awakening Protestant religious revival movement occurred from about 1720 to 1780 with the Second Great Awakening starting about 1790 and was past it's peak in the 1850's. Originally camp meetings were held in frontier areas and people would travel from a large region to a camp site for the "camp meeting".They would listen to itinerant preachers, pray, sing hymns.
Camp meetings offered fellowship, singing, evangelism, non-stop preaching and a vacation from the hard work of their farms. Typically pentecostal in nature with emotional responses, loud prayers, etc. Camp meetings lasted up to five days and featured revival preaching day and night.
During the so-called Second Great Awakening, from about 1790 through 1830, camp meetings became one of the most popular ways to preach the revival message.Whites, blacks, men, women, and persons of all denominations took turns exhorting would-be converts. Repentant sinners were asked to approach the "anxious bench," where they sat with all eyes on them until they were converted to Christ's cause. Camp meetings induced sensational results: some observers described participants laughing out loud, barking like dogs, falling down as if dead, and experiencing "the jerks."

William F. Fore attended a camp meeting (aka tent revival) on August 25, 1889 at Turkey Creek Campground in Buncombe County, NC.
This camp meeting was held in Turkey Creek, Buncombe County, NC at what is now the Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester, Buncombe County, NC.

The grounds at the Leicester Community Center have a story to tell. The 21 acres now including the Community Center, Lawter Court, and Camp Forrest were donated to the Methodist Church by James Gudger on March 22nd 1827 this deed is in deed book 13 page 466 at the Buncombe County Register of Deeds. This brought the birth of the Turkey Creek Campground. There was a large arbor with benches, a pulpit, and an altar where many people knelt and came up shouting. There were separate meetings held for men and women. Around the large arbor were plank tents consisting of four rooms each. The beds were straw covered floors and bedding. The reception room had long benches and the kitchen had a fireplace for food preparation. Each year for about a week to 10 days in August people would come from all over to worship. They came in wagons, on horses and later on in buggies and carriages. Bishop Francis Asbury writes in his diary of visiting the campground in 1806 and preaching to 500 souls. The Holston Methodism Volume 4 mentions a meeting in the fall of 1851 where preaching by Rev William Hicks over 100 people were converted in a 20 hour period. By 1893 the property was in poor condition and interest in the meetings had fallen. The event that would end the camp meetings happened that year. Two men inflamed by a quarrel got into a fist fight. The smaller of the two was taking a beating so he pulled a knife and stabbed the other man to death. Soon after that incident the meetings stopped altogether. The property,still owned by the Methodist Church, was converted into two parsonages, one for the Sandy Mush Charge and one for the Leicester Charge. On May 1, 1957 The Leicester Charge requested that the land be split between the 2 charges. After this split took place the Leicester Charge met at Dix Creek Methodist Church on November 10th 1957 and adopted a resolution to give the parsonage and property to the Leicester Youth Center the parsonage trustees were: Hal Wells, Donald Austin, and J. Fred Hall. The Articles of Incorporation were filed with the state of North Carolina on November 25th 1957.

Asheville Citizen Times, Asheville, NC, 8/27/1889, Keeping Up The Record
Keeping Up The Record
The Knife Again Gets In Its Bloody WorkAmos Lunsford Fatally Wounded by William Fore in a Quarrel at Turkey Creek Camp-Meeting - A Horrible Sunday Homicide
Another bloody chapter has been added to Buncombe's annals of crime, and, this time, as in three other instances this year, a human life has been taken. How, when and where this sort of thing will stop is beyond the ken of mortal man unless some steps are taken by those who have the right to take them, to put an end to those deeds that have already disgraced the fair name of our county and set law and order at defiance. A halt must be called, and no time lost in effecting adequate ways and means whereby homicides and murders shall be checked. Human life is not safe nor society tenable when the pistol and knife are brought into such ready and fatal play upon the lightest pretext or cause. Law, order, society, humanity appeals for a wiping out of these inhuman, diabolical and hellborn practices of men.

Another homicide has been committed in Buncombe! The victim of of passionate fury has been summoned before his Maker and the slayer now occupies a cell in the common jail of his county. One has lost his life, the other his liberty and must run the chances of life or death in a trial before a jury of his country. Horrible to contemplate is this state of affairs existing in any city, town or community.

The facts connected with Sunday's tragedy, as near as can be ascertained are as follows: William Fore, a white man, who lives in French Broad township near Alexander's, attended the farce, called "camp meeting," at Turkey Creek, eleven miles northwest of this city. He is a tall, well built man, about thirty years of age (DOB 1850), and is regarded as a peaceable citizen. While at the camp grounds he got into a dispute with Amos Lunsford, also white, of Leicester township, a powerfully built farmer, and regarded as one of the best men physically and otherwise, in that end of the county. So far as strength and courage goes bot men were well matched. The trouble grew out of an insult which Fore alleges Lunsford offered to him; Fore had some words with him, and Lunsford invited him to "take a walk down the road and settle it." This Fore refused to do, and leaving Lunsford went to a wagon in which a friend named Ham Luther and others were seated. Shortly after he took his seat, Lunsford again made his appearance and repeated his invitation to Fore to "settle it." Again Fore declined, when all of a sudden Lunsford drew back his right arm and landed a terrific blow on Fore's right eye. Stunned and half blinded Fore rolled or fell out of the wagon and grappled with his assailant, drawing his knife, an ordinary pocket knife, at the same time.

The two men fought like tigers, until separated by the crowd which had quickly gathered. When they were parted it was discovered that Lunsford had been stabbed twice, the first wound being about one inch below the navel, while the second orifice was about two inches below the first stab. His intestines were protruding from the cuts, and Dr. J.C.B. Justice, of this city, who was on the grounds was at once summoned to attend the unfortunate man.

Fore, who in the meanwhile, had been arrested by deputy sheriff King, presented a horrible picture. His eyes and the right side of his face were terribly bruised and blackened, and he was suffering intense agony from a kick in the side administered by Lunsford during the fight. Nor were these all his wounds. In his left thigh was a stab, and the third finger on his left hand was bleeding profusely. Both of these wounds were accidentally inflicted upon himself by Fore in the melee, and gave him much pain.

Lunsford was later taken to his home from where his death was reported yesterday afternoon. Fore waived preliminary examination and was brought to this city yesterday and lodged in jail. The deceased was a married man leaves a wife and several children. Fore is also married, and has one child. Both men have been regarded as upright, peaceable, good citizens previous to the horrible affair Sunday.

The Daily Citizen, Asheville, NC, 8/28/1889
Next on this list comes Jesse Peterson, also white, charged with murder in Madison. He, too, is waiting the result of an appeal to the supreme court, and is in the Buncombe jail for safe keeping.

The last of the trio is William Fore, of this county, who figured in Sunday's tragedy at the Turkey Creek camp meeting. He is awaiting trial at the October term of the criminal court for the slaying of Amos Lunsford, of Leicester township.

Thomas Wright and David Swatzell, the horse-thieves, also occupy a cell on the second floor of the jail..."

The Daily Citizen, 8/29/1889, "The Camp Meeting Was Not A 'Farce'"
Editor Citizen: I had the pleasure of attending the recent camp meeting at Turkey Creek, during the progress of which Amos Lunsford was killed by William Fore, and I desire to state that in your account of the affair in your issue of last Tuesday, you unintentionally cast a slur on one of the leading institutions of the Methodist church in the county of Buncombe. You said: "William Fore, a white man, who lives in French Broad township, attended the farce called 'camp meeting' at Turkey Creek last Sunday." Now it may be, or it may not be, that the necessity for camp meetings has ceased to exist. I shall not discuss that question. But that people have the right to meet at a proper time and in a proper place to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience and in accordance with the laws of the country is a proposition that no man will question. This is exactly what the good people of Turkey Creek did last Sunday and it is what they have been doing for nearly seventy years. They paid their own money to erect the arbor and tents and they go there from year to year. These people are among the very best citizens of Buncombe. If they desire to do this, whose business is it?

If a bad man, once in a while, goes there and fills himself with liquor and provokes a difficulty and commits a crime, is the camp meeting to be ridiculed by our county paper and held responsible for it? Is the camp meeting of Turkey Creek to be held up to the ridicule of this world as parties to an annual "farce" because William Fore went there, steamed up his passions with the fluid of hell and killed a man? Such characters go to all gathering and they go prepared for mischief. You cannot keep them away.

Up to the time of this unfortunate tragedy, I never saw better order at a religious gathering in my life. All of the people seemed to be in the best of spirits and there was no sign of trouble in any direction. And during all the long years that camp meetings have been held at Turkey Creek, this is the first serious crime that has ever committed there. On the other hand, thousands have been converted there and added to the church of God. It has been a powerful influence for good and it has not yet reached the limit of it's usefulness. It is not a bad institution. I am, therefore, sure, that in view of all the facts in the case you will modify your unfortunate reference to the Turkey Creek camp meeting.
G.C.Rankin

The Montgomery Vidette, Troy, NC, 9/5/1889, Pg 2Amos Lunsford was stabbed and killed at Turkey creek camp meeting, six miles west of Asheville, Sunday, by William Fore. Both parties were white and were respectable citizens. Fore is in jail. The difficulty was about a woman whom the slayer charged the slain with having insulted.

Asheville Citizen Times, Asheville, NC, 9/21/1889, Pg 1Mrs. Geo. W. Bell and Mrs. Amos Lunsford have taken out letters of administration upon the estates of their respective husbands-both of whom were recently killed by other men in this county.

Asheville Daily Citizen, Asheville, NC, 10/29/1894, Criminal Court
Criminal Court
The Opening of this Tribunal Yesterday
This court was called on yesterday promptly at 10 o'clock, Hon. Charles A. Moore presiding. His Honor delivered an able charge to the grand jury, which was composed of the following gentlemen: ...

The most of the day was consumed in the consideration of several cases of minor importance, in which the defendants generally submitted...

William Fore was arraigned and pleaded not guilty. This case was also continued to the special term on November 18, to which day the witnesses were discharged.

The Daily Citizen, Asheville, NC, 11/19/1889, Criminal Court
Criminal Court
Business Done and to be Done by this Tribunal
The criminal court convened at 10 a.m. yesterday with Judge Moore on the bench. The greater part of the day was taken up with mere routine matter...

This is an unusually important term on account of the two cases of Berry, who is charged with killing George Bell, and of William Fore, who is charged with the murder of Amos Lunsford. The sheriff has been ordered to summon a special venire of 175 men in the case of the latter.

Asheville Citizens Times, 11/20/1889, Criminal Court
Criminal Court
Business Transacted Yesterday - Fore Murder Trial Today
The court resumed it's sitting yesterday morning at 10 o'clock. In the case of Harper Slite and Baily, the jury returned the verdict of guilty and a fine of $25 and costs was imposed...

The trial of William Fore begins this morning and the sheriff has summoned a special venire of a hundred men to report today at 10a.m...

Asheville Citizens Times, 11/21/1889, Criminal Court
Criminal Court
Clemency Asked By The Jury For Honeycutt
An Application Made For Postponement in the Murder Case of the State vs. Wm. J. Fore - The Matter To Come Up Today
An array of solid men of Buncombe filled the court room yesterday morning composing the special venire, which had been ordered for the trial of William Fore, for the killing of Amos Lunsford, which sad event occurred on the 26th day of August last, while the parties were in attendance at a camp meeting in Leicester township.

Before entering upon this case, the jury which up to midnight of the preceding day, had been patiently hearing the evidence and arguments in the case of the State vs. Mart Huneycutt, brought up their verdict, finding the defendant guilty of the crime of larceny and receiving stolen goods...

The prisoner, Fore, was brought into court, attended by his counsel. Messrs. J.M. Gudger and M.E. Carter. The solicitor called over his witnesses, some twenty-five in number, and announced that the State was ready. Mr. Gudger, in behalf of the defendant, said, that he wished time to prepare an affidavit, praying a continuance, and stated as the ground thereof, the absence of a material witness, Mr. Ham A. Luther, of Hominy. Mr. Luther had been summoned by the State, and therefore, the defense had not procured a subpoena for him until yesterday, when they learned that the Solicitor would not introduce him, and in consequence of his absence from home, this subpoena could not be served. The counsel intimated quite broadly that Mr. Luther had absented himself, because of his wish to avoid summons; saying, that he had in a previous case done the same.

The court granted time to prepare the affidavit, which was soon presented in the following words:

North Carolina, Buncombe County } Inferior Court
State vs. Wm. Fore - Murder } November Term '89William Fore, the prisoner at the bar, being duly sworn, deposes and says he cannot come safely to the trial of this cause now, for the lac of the evidence of H.A. Luther. That said Luther was and is under subpoena issued for him and the same has not been served.

By said witness defendant expects to prove that prisoner drew his knife from his pocket and opened it after deceased had knocked and pulled prisoner down. This testimony is necessary to meet testimony which, as prisoner is advised, will be offered by the State, tending to show that the prisoner prepared a knife for the fight; that there is no witness by which he can supply this testimony; he expects to have the benefit of this testimony at another time; that the absence of this witness is a surprise to the prisoner; that this affidavit is not mode for delay, but to obtain a fair trial.
(Signed) W.J. Fore
Sworn to and subscribed before me,
J.R. Patterson, Clerk C.C.

Mr. Gudger argued skillfully in favor of a continuance. The solicitor opposed the motion which much logic, saying that the defense acknowledged that they knew weeks ago what Mr. Luther would swear, and that they could have secured his presence had they wished to do so. Capt. Carter replied to the solicitor ably and at length, refuting the charge that the prisoner's counsel had been guilty of negligence-that they had a right to suppose that witness would be produced by the State, and so soon as they discovered that he had been released by the solicitor they had made all due effort to secure his attendance.

At this point the solicitor was informed that Mr. Luther was probably at home at this time, and said that he would consent to this case being laid over until next Monday, in order to afford all facility to the defense to procure his evidence.

The court ordered the clerk to issue several cases for Mr. Luther, and directed the sheriff to detail as many deputies as might be necessary to secure his attendance, and the case was continued until this morning at 10 o'clock, to which hour the venire was discharged.

Sentence was then passed upon Mart Honeycutt, whose term is three years in the penitentiary.

Asheville Citizen Times, The Daily Citizen, Asheville, NC, 11/22/1889, Fore On Trial
Fore On Trial
The State Will Only Have One More Witness
Dr. Justice Describes the Wounds - J.B. West Gives a Full Description of the Fight - Considerable Interest Manifested
Once more the court room was filled on yesterday, and the one hundred good and true men who had been summoned as a special venire were present, their countenances showing the deep interest they felt in their position and their determination to do their duty fairly and impartially, in case it should fall to their lot to pass judgment upon their fellow-man in a matter of his life or death.

The solicitor again called over his witnesses and announced that the State was ready. Mr. Gudger, for the defence, said that the witness Luther had not been found; and his Honor stated that it appeared that he was willfully absenting himself to avoid the process of this court and requested the solicitor to take such steps as the case required, an on motion of this officer, rule was issued upon said Luther, to show cause why he should not be held in contempt.

The court then announced the decision that the affidavit tendered by the defence was not sufficient ground for continuance, and after the prisoner had been placed upon his guard, the regular panel was called over and from them four were accepted.

The calling of the special venire was then begun and after fifty-seven had been drawn, the remaining eight were chosen. The jury in this case is composed of the following gentlemen: J.H. Foster, J.M. Israel, T.R. James, W.O. Wolfe, J.B. Ingle, G.H. Starnes, W.E. Pownders, Thos F. Wilson, M.G. Coffee, R.L. Shook, W.M. Weaver, John Brown.

The jury box being filled, the court discharged the regular panel until next Monday morning at 10 o'clock.

The prisoner was then required to stand up, and the bill of indictment was read to the jury, with the impressive words that "The defendant has placed himself upon God and his country, which country ye are."

The witnesses for the State were then sworn, and the court, took a recess until 2 p.m.

It may be here remarked as evidence of the good will prevailing in this county that one of sixty-eight men who were examined as to qualifications to act as jurors, only two were exempted on account of having a suit pending in court. This is rather a bad outlook for the legal fraternity, but shows that there gentlemen attend to their client's interests rather than their own.

The first witness introduced by the State was Dr. J.C.B. Justice, who attended Amos Lunsford. He described the various wounds, especially the fatal stab in the abdomen; said he had not seen the deceased until twenty minutes after the wound had been received, and that he then considered his patient to be past human help and almost in a dying condition. The Doctor had no doubt that this wound was the cause of death; he judged the knife blade to have been two and a half or three inches long.

J.B. West was the next witness. He was in attendance at camp meeting on the fourth Sunday in August, 1889. Was attracted by someone saying: "They will fight yet." Witness then approached the place where a number of persons were collected. Here he saw prisoner seated on a wagon, and saw deceased approach and heard a quarrel ensue, when the prisoner said, "I am not afraid to say again that you are a damned liar," whereupon deceased struck the prisoner in the face and pulled him down from the wagon. Deceased drew his right hand from hjs pants pocket, and witness saw that the prisoner had in his hand an open knife; a fight ensued, the deceased striking prisoner on each side of the face, using both hands, the prisoner striking back with his knife, sometimes striking deceased in front of body and sometimes around so as apparently to hit in the back. Witness produced the knife, a large pocket knife, which he had taken from prisoner immediately after the fight, and had preserved since that time. The location of the contending parties changed to some fifteen feet from the wagon, then back again, and finally to the banks of a large spring at which point deceased gave prisoner a very severe kick, and both combatants fell into the spring, a distance of some four feet. At this point witness seized the prisoner's right hand, in which the knife was with the blade half closed, and witness demanded the knife, which the prisoner at once surrendered. Other parties took hold of the deceased and helped him out of the spring.

By direction of the court the witness and the sheriff assumed the positions relatively of the deceased and the prisoner showed to the jury that the prisoner was in front of deceased, and with his back to the deceased, who was striking him continuously when the fatal blow was given by prisoner, striking backwards. The counsel for the defence objected to this illustration, which was noted by his honor. Witness arrested prisoner, who smelled of whiskey. Prisoner asked why he was arrested. Witness said, "Because you have probably killed Amos Lunsford." Prisoner replied, "I did not have any knife."

The cross examination showed that prisoner had his back to deceased most of the time of the fight, and consequently was moving from deceased, who was following and striking prisoner severely; that prisoner was on his knees when deceased kicked him very severely; that prisoner did not seem trying to escape from deceased.

R.F. Lee was next called to the witness stand. He, too, was at campground on day in question, and gave an account which corresponded quite closely with that of the first witness, the chief points of difference being that this witness saw prisoner draw a knife from his pocket before deceased struck him or pulled him off the wagon, and that deceased gave prisoner three kicks, the last of which knocked prisoner into the spring, deceased falling in with him. Witness thought that the fatal wound was given while both were in the spring.

Thaddeus Sams was next called. Saw the difficulty. After prisoner came off the wagon he followed deceased some five feet before they both turned in direction the spring; that deceased either kicked or pushed prisoner off a bank and prisoner came back at deceased with knife drawn; then deceased struck him again and at that time prisoner struck him more than once in the abdomen; afterwards Lunsford pushed prisoner into the spring. Witness also stated that during the fight deceased had seized prisoner's arm, which was wrenched from him and requested cuts made by prisoner.

The witness was subjected to a severe cross-examination, which developed the fact that witness lived on land of the deceased; also that someone had said to witness, "Don't interfere; Lunsford has taken enough off of Fore already."

Morris Fowler had seen the quarrel at an earlier stage than the other witnesses. Prisoner had taken hold of a halter by which a little boy was lending a horse and refused to give it up. The boy asked him to give it up. Lunsford told prisoner to let horse alone. Prisoner asked deceased what business it was of his, to which Lunsford replied that he would protect the boy. Several bitter curses were applied by prisoner to deceased, and witness saw deceased take a knife from his pocket, open the blade and return it to his pocket. Witness then left the ground in company with his wife and children, remarking that there would be a fight and someone might be killed.

J.E. Sumner saw the trouble with boy and horse, but did not see knife drawn. Then after a lapse of five minutes saw Lunsford return from direction of spring and in direction of wagon, on which prisoner had taken a seat by the side of H.A. Luther. Witness heard prisoner say to Luther that deceased was -- -- -- --; thereupon Lunsford approached and demanded its retraction, which was refused, and a blow was struck by deceased. Witness could not testify as to the facts of the fight after this.

Burton Ford's evidence was not materially different from that of the two first witnesses and he was not cross examined.

Here the solicitor announced that with one more witness the State would probably rest its case, and this would be done this morning, and the jury were allowed to retire.

John Berry, who is charged with the murder of George Bell, was brought into court, attended by his counsel, Maj. W. H. Malone and W.W. Jones.

The solicitor reported that the State was ready. The defence submitted an affidavit of the accused, stating that he could not safely come to trial at this time, owing to the absence of Charles Harkins, who had heard threats made by Bell against the accused; the Harkins was in the State of Washington but would be present at the next term of court.

His honor declined to grant a continuance, holding that the affidavit was not sufficient.

A venire of 125 men was drawn from the box and ordered to be in attendance at 10 o'clock on Monday morning.

The Asheville Citizen Times, Asheville, NC, 11/23/1889, Criminal Court
Criminal Court
Trial Of Fore Continued And Evidence Closed
The Evidence Closed-Fore Testifies in His Own Behalf-The Speeches Will be Made To-day and Probably A Verdict
The examination of the evidence for the State was continued by the testimony of Mr. --- Butler, who saw a number of persons assembled and heard loud talking, and heard Fore say to some person who had taken hold of his arm and asked him to go away. "No, if it comes I'll cut some d--d man. That is what I came here for."
Fore then went to wagon and took a seat thereon. Lunsford approached and demanded retraction of epithet which Fore had applied to him. Fore refused to retract and again called him a d--d liar. Lunsford then struck Fore, and at same instant Fore made an overhanded blow with an open knife in his hand. The fight then moved some eight feet from wagon, Lunsford backing and both parties striking furiously. Then Lunsford struck Fore a blow which caused him to turn his back to deceased, and in this position witness saw knife strike Lunsford in abdomen. Lunsford then knocked and kicked Fore off of the bank of the road, and Fore partly turned and seemed about to come back at Lunsford, when latter struck and kicked him again and they both fell into the spring. Fore did not get into the water; Lunsford did do so, and there kicked Fore again. Then they were separated.

On cross examination witness acknowledge that on last evening, when being examined by counsel for defence, he made no such statement as he now does in regard to threat made by Fore prior to the fight. Also that witness lived on land of a brother-in-law of Lunsford.

On redirect examination, witness stated that he made same statement of Fore's words to another person, whom he named.

Mr. Weaver repeated vile epithets which he heard Fore apply more than once to Lunsford. He did not see beginning of fight at wagon, but saw that at the spring, and gave an account very similar to that of the first State's witnesses. He was no cross-examined.

Mr. Rogers heard sounds indicating that a fight was imminent, and took hold of Lunsford, when Fore, who was on wagon, said, "Let him loose; I am not afraid of him." Lunsford replied, "I don't want you to be afraid of me. Will you repeat what you said?" Then Fore again called Lunsford a d--d liar, and fight ensued, of which this witness testified as the others had done.

H.B. Ray gave a description of the fight in a concise manner, his testimony being very similar to that of Mr. West and Mr. Lee. This witness was not cross examined.

Mr. Webb had a conversation with Butler, the witness first examined, and repeated what Butler said, very much the same as the testimony given by Butler. Witness also heard Sumner say to Thad. Sams, who was holding Lunsford, "Let him go; he has taken too much off of this man already." The statement of this witness was not materially different from that of the others.

Mr. Dockery heard same words as stated by last witness, used by Sumner to Thad. Sams, and saw fight, without any material point of difference, except that he thought Fore had hold of Lunsford just before the parties fell into the spring.

Here the State rested, and the defence asked a recess of half hour, which was granted.

On reassembling, the prisoner was sworn, and took the witness stand. He said:
"On Sunday evening I was walking towards spring. A horse ran against me, and I caught it and asked boy to be more careful. At this moment a man came up and said, 'Talk to a man, not to a boy.' I said, 'I have no talk for either, but I do not want a horse to run over me.' Then he said, 'You are too big a coward.' Then he said, 'You are a coward and a --- --- ---.' My recollection is that I replied 'You are a liar.' He walked up the road, saying 'Come up here; I will do you up.' I said, 'I will not go.' and started down the road. He overtook me and said 'Go down the road and I will do you up.' I said, 'I will not go anywhere to take a whipping.' About this time I saw Mr. Ham Luther sitting on the wagon, and thought I would go there to avoid a difficulty. I went and got on the wagon. At this time I saw Mr. Lunsford standing off talking with others, one of whom I learn to be Mr. Sumner. Lunsford and others came to me. He had hand down by his side; I thought he had a rock in his hand. Then Mr. Sumner spoke to Mr. Sams, saying, 'Let him alone; he has already taken more than I would have taken.' Then Lunsford asked me to repeat what I said. I replied that I wished to have no more to say about it. He said I was too much of a coward, and said, 'You are a coward and a --- --- ---.' I said "You are a liar.' and began to open my knife. Lunsford then struck me just above the right eye. I cannot tell how I got off the wagon, but when I came to myself I had knife in hand partly open, and blows were coming on me from every side. I discovered that my knife was not fully open and struck it against my thigh and cut it in my effort to open it. The blows continued very fast, and I returned them until I came near to spring where I was partly down, and received a terrible kick, which knocked me into the spring and Lunsford jumped in on me. I was not able to recover until helped out of the spring.

"The fatal blow was given when I was kicked off of bank of road, near the spring. This was not the first kick I had received. I did not open my knife at the horse transaction; I did not open it on wagon until I was struck. Had never seen Lunsford until that day; did not know him. Said no words of opprobrium to Lunsford after leaving horse until he came to me on the wagon. (Knife shown.) This is my knife. I struck first with my knife because I thought he had something with which he could kill me. I struck afterwards because it seemed to me that I would be killed. Blows on my head were very severe; kicks were also very severe. When I reached the spring I was badly beaten up. I never saw deceased from wagon to spring, because my back was towards him. I had taken two drams of whiskey that day. There was no cause of trouble between me and Lunsford prior to that day."

Cross-examination: "I do not think he told West that he had no knife. Think witnesses are mistaken on points where they differ with me. I was trying to get away from Lunsford during the fight. He had hold of me; I did not have hold of him. I was trying to kill him because I felt sure that otherwise he would kill me."

Then the court took a recess till 2 p.m.

D.A. Shook saw a fight at wagon. Lunsford struck Fore, who had an umbrella in his lap, and pulled him off wagon. As Fore reached the ground he struck at Lunsford with knife. Witness called to Lunsford with knife. Witness called to Lunsford, 'Look out! He has a knife.' Lunsford was a very heavy man and one of his blows would have knocked Fore down, had not Lunsford supported him by his left hand grasping his collar. Saw Lunsford take hold of Fore's right hand, which was wrenched loose. Lunsford then seized both of Fore's elbows and gave him a severe kick, which caused sufficient distance between them to enable Fore to strike his adversary's front, and it was then that the fatal wound was delivered.

Cross examination: Witness knew the prisoner some five years ago, and at that time his general character was not good.

Mr. Jamison, the jailer, saw prisoner a few days after the affray, when he was delivered into his custody. At that time prisoner had ugly bruises on face and side, and a cut in shape of the figure 7 on his right thigh.

C.C. Crook said that Sumner, one of the witnesses for the State, had told him that he had said to Lunsford that he would not take what Fore had put upon him.

Dr. J.C.B. Justice was put on standby defence. Said that in attending deceased he noticed that he had been drinking and smelled whiskey on his breath. The solicitor objected and the court allowed the question.

Dr. Starnes was at camp meeting, but did not see the fight. Examined prisoner soon after fight. Examined prisoner soon after fight. Found several severe bruises on face, and a cut, not serious, on his right thigh. Afterwards found a very severe bruise on his back.

This closed the evidence for the defense.

The State recalled Mr. West, the first witness, who said that he had seen Fore holding Lunsford with his left hand, grasping his left leg, and striking backwards with his knife in his right hand. Witness also gave several of the State's witnesses a good general character.

G.A. Greer had heard quarrel about horse; heard prisoner call Lunsford a liar and say, "You men who smoke fine cigars, if you want to whip me you must do it on the spot," which he heard repeated after Fore had taken seat on wagon; in other respects this witness agreed with the preceding one.

James Hunter knows general character of prisoner which is bad. No developments of new matter in connection with the res-gestae, was made by this witness, nor by the testimony of Anderson Bailey, except that the latter gave a stronger statement of epithets used by prisoner to deceased.

Mr. J.W. Starnes, superintendent of public schools, was called and testified to the general good character of many of the State's witnesses.

Sam Rector was the boy who had the horse when prisoner interfered. The horse belonged to James Hunter. Prisoner demanded horse, saying that Hunter had told him, prisoner, to take horse. Lunsford interfered and prisoner released horse and turned on Lunsford. Witness did not hear what was said and went away with horse.

W.J. Worley, ex-sheriff, testified to good character of several State witnesses; which was also proven by several other witnesses and the evidence was closed.

The solicitor made a short address and the court adjourned until this morning.

The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, NC, 11/24/1889, Pg 1, Wm Fore Convicted of MurderWm Fore Convicted of Murder
(Special to The Chronicle)
Asheville, NC, Nov, 23 - For two days the Criminal Court has been occupied with the trial of William Fore, charged with the murder of Amos Lunsford, on August 24th.

At a camp meeting near here the two men got into an altercation, in which Fore was struck in the face by Lunsford with his fist, and thereupon the former drew a huge knife and while being repeatedly struck, stabbed his antagonist to death.

The jury after a conference of two hours have returned a verdict of guilty.

The Morning Star, Wilmington, NC, 11/28/1889, Pg 3, Spirits Turpentine
Asheville Journal: The conviction of Wm Fore for murder on Saturday was a surprise to many. It is being talked over by most everyone and it also adds additional public interest in the trial of John Berry, which began this morning.

Asheville Citizen Times, Asheville, NC, 11/28/1889, Pg 1
When a man is on trial for his life, no one should withhold their testimony. They may think that they can add nothing to what is already known, but theirs might be the missing link in the chain of evidence. Several young men refrained from letting people know that they had been witnesses of the fight when William Fore killed Amos Lunsford. Such action is very blame-worthy, and would be severely criticised by those who desire justice to be fairly meted out and realize the importance of having all the witnesses of such a scene relate what they have seen and heard to the jury.

Apropos of the number of hotels which are in process of erection....

Asheville Citizen Times, Asheville, NC, 11/30/1889
A Letter From Mr. Wolfe, one of the Fore Jurymen
Editor Citizen: I being one of the twelve unfortunate men who were selected to try Wm Fore for the murder of Amos Lunsford, deem it my duty to answer the rather unjust criticism which appeared in your paper last Sunday morning.

Knowing that your reporter heard all the case, for he was regularly in his place through the entire trial, and if he heard that charge of the Judge to the jury giving them the law; then, I think your criticism was most unjust to the jury-unjust to the peace and dignity of society and the laws of North Carolina.

I don't know what part of the community The Citizen voices, when it says, it thinks the community expected a verdict of manslaughter; but I do know that several of the good people of the community have approached me, unsolicited, and told me that ours was a most righteous verdict.

I was not sworn, however, to please the public, but to hear the evidence and the law, and render a just verdict. This I feel I have done, however painful it may have been to me.

I did not make the law that is to punish Wm. Fore, but simply did my sworn duty as a juror, and am ever ready to lend whatever aid is in my power in any direction the condemned man may be entitled to for clemency.

I do not blame The Citizen for not concurring in my views. Of course not; but, it seems to me, the comments of Sunday's paper were rather far-reached; the jury feel they were the only twelve persons in the universe who believed the prisoner, Fore, to be guilty of murder.

I write this over my own signature, but in so doing, I feel certain I voice the sentiments of the entire jury.
W.O. Wolfe

Editor Citizen: I am happy to have had my attention drawn to the above communication by my excellent friend, Mr. Wolfe. It only goes to convince me, that I was correct in the position I took before the trial, during the trial, and after the trial, that he and all other members of the jury were "absolutely conscientious." That we differed in opinion, is no evidence that either doubts the honesty of the other. I am glad to learn from Mr. Wolfe, that he is ready to join me in application to the Governor for clemency to Wm. Fore. In this effort, I hope sincerely, that Mr. Wolfe and I will receive the cooperation of the other members of the jury, of the judge and of the solicitor, because I hope that they will concur with us in the opinion that the circumstances of the case warrant such an application.
T.W. Patton

The Daily Citizen, Asheville, NC, 12/1/1889
Criminal Court
A Mistrial In The Case of John Berry
An Appeal for a New Trial in the Case of Wm. Fore - Some Startling Affidavits Presented for the Consideration of the Court.
At 5 o'clock the court was called to order, and the weary jury in their box, while the room was filled with men anxious to know the result of their long deliberations.

Mr. J.M. Step answered the clerk's question with the assurance that they had not agreed, and his honor again required them to retire in charge of their officer until they did agree.

So soon as this was done and order restored, Clerk Patterson warned all present to observe silence, and in prescribed form asked the prisoner, Wm. Fore, whether he had anything to say why judgment of death should not be pronounced upon him. In reply to this Mr. J. M. Gudger made an earnest appeal to the court for a new trial, basing the same first, upon new evidence which had come to his knowledge which would go far towards mitigating the offense. The most remarkable part of this was a statement which the counsel averred would be made by Mr. Alexander, a kinsman of the deceased. Amos Lunsford, that he had talked with Lunsford a short time before his death and that he said then distinctly, "I pushed that man Fore too far. I know I must die, and at this moment, I say deliberately that Fore is not to blame for my death."

This remarkable statement was supplemented with the further assurance that in selecting the jury the prisoner's counsel had received no assistance except from two persons who were not named, who advised them to take three men who were their kinsmen, assuring the counsel that these men were untrained and would be fair both for the State and defense, and in consequence of this assurance, the three men were taken on the jury. Since the close of the trial, however, the counsel had been informed that one of these persons, had proposed to help lynch Fore. Another had said "he ought to be hung" and the third a few moments before he was called to the jury box, had said that "Fore was guilty of murder."

The court here suggested to Mr. Gudger that these charges were of too serious a character to be presented in this irregular manner, and that court would be adjourned for one hour to enable them to prepare the affidavits necessary to bring it properly before the court and to get its ruling thereon.

At 7 o'clock, the court was again called to order, and the jury in the case of the State vs John Berry being in the box, still asserted that it was impossible to reach an agreement. The Solicitor and Mr. Shuford, for defendant, then agreed that the jury should be polled, and each asked, whether it would be possible for them to agree. This was done, and the question was asked each juryman, and in reply, each gave the opinion "Impossible;" and thereupon, one of the twelve, Mr. J.M. Stepp, was withdrawn and a mistrial ordered.

We were informed by one of the jury that they stood to the last, nine for murder and three for manslaughter.

The consideration of Fore's case was then resumed, and the following affidavits were presented:

M.W. Carter being duly sworn, says that "Mr. D.H. Shook, father of Robert Shook, who served as a juror on the trial of the prisoner at the bar, came to affiant as one of the counsel of the prisoner, and volunterred the statement to him, that his said son, Mr. Coffee, who was also on the jury, and a Mr. Rogers who was on the special venire, were all without prejudice against the prisoner, and would give him a fair trial, if they were chosen on the jury, and both Messrs. Shook and Coffee were chosen by the prisoner's counsel in consequence of this information.

Affiant further swears, "that the said D.H. Shook, being a witness for the prisoner, led affiant to believe that he was in sympathy with the prisoner; but affiant has since been informed, and now believes, that he was, at the same time, an active friend of the prosecution.
(Signed) M.E. Carter
Sworn to and subscribed before me
J.R. Patterson, Clerk

J.D. Redmon being duly sworn says that he was in the courthouse the day the jury was chosen in this case, and while Robert Shook, he was afterwards chosen as a juror, sat by his side, in a conversation with Shook, he told this affiant that Lunsford was a nice man, and that Fore had imposed on him, and ought to be hung. Shook was sworn afterwards, and on being sworn said that he had not formed and expressed the opinion that the prisoner was guilty. Affiant remembers distrinctly that Shook was sworn and answered as above stated. Before Shook was chosen, a man not known to affiant, who had sandy beard, leaned over in front of affiant, and whispered to Shook and told him that he would be chosen as a juror sure.

Affiant told his brother and brother-in-law the same day that Fore would either he hung or there would be a mistrial, and he then explained to them his conversation with Shook. The affiant is not of kin nor related in any way to the parties, and has no interest in the case, and is besides unable to state how defendant's counsel obtained the information that he had the said conversation with Shook.
J.D. Redmon "X" his mark
Sworn to and subscribed J.R. Patterson, Clerk

M.L. Culbertson being duly sworn says that the week following the killing of Lunsford by Fore, he heard Mr. Coffee, who served as a juror in this trial of Fore, say that Fore ought to be hung. This was said at Coffee's spring near his residence.
(Signed) M.S. Culbertson
Sworn to and subscribed, J.R. Patterson, Clerk

The solicitor stated distinctly that he disbelieved the truth of statements made by Redmon and Culbertson; that if convinced that they stated facts he would readily agree to a new trial, and asked that the matter be postponed until Monday next to enable him to introduce evidence. This request his honor very properly granted, and the court was adjourned until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.

Asheville Citizen-Times, Asheville, NC, 12/3/1889, Pg 1, Criminal Court
Criminal Court
Verdict Against William Fore Set Aside - A New Trial Granted
In pursuance of its adjournment on Saturday night, the court was convened at 9 o'clock yesterday, and the consideration of affidavits published in our Sunday's issue was taken up.

The defense introduced a farther affidavit of R.L. Lee to the effect that D.S. Shook had said to him, "I have beaten out Melvin Carter," referring to certain men who had been taken on the jury.

Two of the jurymen, Messrs Coffee and Shook were introduced by the State, and each asserted that he had not been questioned as to his opinions of the prisoner's guilt, but had the question been asked he would have replied that he had formed and expressed such an opinion. The counsel for the defendant insisted that the usual question had not been asked because of the assurance given them in private by D.L. Shook, and the court held that there was reason to doubt that the defendant had received a fair and impartial trial, and therefore the verdict should be set aside.

Many witnesses were introduced to establish the character of the two jurymen, and the evidence was thoroughly satisfactory to them both. We have also heard many comments of approval of young Mr. Lunsford, the son of the slain man, who naturally assisted the solicitor in the prosecution; his demeanor was entirely free of all that vindictive feeling which is often seen in like cases, his deportment was quiet and dignified and his evident wish was only to secure a fair trial for the State, and to vindicate his father's character.

News and Observer, Raleigh, NC, 1/28/1890, Pg 4
Asheville Citizen: The officials believe that it will be a difficult matter to get a jury in Buncombe county for either the Berry or Fore murder cases. Nearly everybody of intelligence within the boundaries has formed and expressed an opinion...

The Semi Weekly Citizen, Asheville, NC, 2/6/1890, Pg 1
...William Fore, who was sentenced to fifteen years in the penitentiary for manslaughter, will not be taken to the prison until after the present term of the court.
...

The Morganton Herald, Morganton, NC, 2/13/1890, Pg 1
..At Buncombe Superior Court William Fore, charged with the murder of Amos Lunsford, has submitted to manslaughter and has been sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment in the penitentiary.

The Semi-Weekly Citizen, Asheville, NC, 2/13/1890, Pg 1
Six prisoners were taken to Raleigh by Sheriff Reynolds yesterday. Berry and Fore were among them.

Asheville Citizen Times, Asheville, NC, 10/29/1894, Page 1, Wm Fore EscapesWm Fore Escapes
Buncombe Man Gets Out of the State Penitentiary
A letter to Chief W.H. Deaver of the Pinion Detective agency, from Warden John M. Fleming of the North Carolina penitentiary, states that William Fore, a convict from Buncombe, escaped Friday night from the pen, and that $100 reward is offered for his capture.

Fore was sent to the penitentiary in 1890 for manslaughter, having killed Lunsford at Turkey Creek camp meeting. He was a 15 years man. Fore is 41 yrs old (DOB 1853), six feet tall, weights 175 pounds, has brown eyes and dark hair, a dimple in the chin and sharp nose.

Having escaped from jail, this is where I lost his trail. I have not been able to find him again after this 1894 newspaper article.

If you have any further information, please contact me at Mom25dogs@gmail.com or Mama.to.dogs@gmail.com.

I could not find Melissie Jane Ensley Fore or her son, Elbert Wiley Fore, in the 1900 U.S. Census.

Elbert Wiley Fore married Polly Loretta Buckner on 8/21/1898 in Buncombe County, NC.

It seems Wiley Fore and Polly Loretta Buckner Fore separated. In the 1930 U.S. Census, they are living in separate households.

1930 U.S. Census of State Hwy 20, French Broad, Buncombe County, NC, Roll 1676, Pg 7B, ED 47, Image 638.0, FHL microfilm: 2341410, Dwelling #131, Family #136, Lines 52-55, "Harley Ensley"Harley Ensley, Head, Owns farm, no radio set, M(ale), W(hite), 64 yrs old (DOB would be About 1866), Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Farmer of general farmCornelia Ensley, Wife, F, W, 63 Yrs old (DOB would be About 1867), Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCBonnie Ensley, Daughter, F, W, 24 yrs old (DOB would be About 1906), Single, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NCWiley Fore, Nephew, M, W, 53 yrs old, Married (?), Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC, Labor on Farm

1930 U.S. Census of Office St, Hartsell Mill Village, Township 11, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; Ancestry.com, 4/12/2016, Roll: 1678; Page: 18B; Enumeration District: 0021; Image: 203.0; FHL microfilm: 2341412, Taken 4/15/1930, Family #364, Lines 92-97, "John Honeysucker" (sic)John Honeysucker, Head, Rents home for $2, M(ale), W(hite), 23 yrs old (DOB 1907), Married at age 19 yrs old (DOM 1926), Cannot read or write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Doffer in cotton millAda K. Honeysucker, Wife, F, W, 19 yrs old (DOB 1921), Married at age 17 yrs old, Can read and write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NCMable L. Honeysucker, Daughter, F, W, 7/12 mos old (DOB 1929), Born in NC, Both parents born in NCPolly Fore, Mother-in-law, F, W, 57 yrs old (DOB 1873), Married at age 25 yrs old (DOM 1898), Can read and write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NCJames A. Fore, Brother-in-law, M, W, 17 yrs old (DOB 1913), Single, Can read and write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Laborer in cotton mill

I found no further record of Wiley Fore after the 1930 U.S. Census. I do not know when he died or where he is buried. If anyone has any further information, please contact me at Mom25dogs@gmail.com or Mama.to.dogs@gmail.com

Psalm 22 is also known as The Psalm of the Cross or The Crucifixion Psalm. It is prophetic of the death of our Savior. Let's look at it in detail. First let's see how the prophesies of these verses were fulfilled.

Psalm 22:1-31 (Modern King James Version - MKJV) To the Chief Musician, on the deer of the dawn. A Psalm of David.
My God, my God, why have You forsaken me, and are far from my deliverance, and from the words of my groaning? (2) O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not answer; and in the night, and am not silent. (3) But You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. (4) Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. (5) They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed. (6) But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. (7) All who see Me mock me; they shoot out the lip; they shake the head, saying, (8) He trusted on Jehovah; let Him deliver Him; let Him rescue Him, since He delights in Him! (9) For You are He who took Me out of the womb, causing Me to trust while on My mother's breasts. (10) I was cast on You from the womb; You are My God from My mother's belly. (11) Be not far from Me; for trouble is near, for there is none to help. (12) Many bulls have circled around Me; strong bulls Of Bashan have surrounded Me. (13) They opened wide their mouths on Me, like a ripping and a roaring lion. (14) I am poured out like water, and all My bones are spread apart; My heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of My bowels. (15) My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; (16) and You have brought Me into the dust of death. For dogs have circled around Me; the band of spoilers have hemmed Me in, piercers of My hands and My feet. (17) I can count all My bones; they look and stare at Me. (18) They divide My garments among them and cast lots for My clothing. (19) But You, O Jehovah, be not far from Me; O My strength, hurry to help Me! (20) Deliver My soul from the sword, My only one from the dog's hand. (21) Save Me from the lion's mouth; from the wild oxen's horns. You have answered Me. (22) I will declare Your name to My brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise You. (23) You who fear Jehovah, praise Him; all of you, the seed of Jacob, glorify Him; and fear Him all the seed of Israel. (24) For He has not despised nor hated the affliction of the afflicted; and He has not hidden His face from him, but when he cried to Him, He heard. (25) My praise shall be of You in the great congregation; I will pay My vows before the ones who fear Him. (26) The meek shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Jehovah shall praise Him; your heart shall live forever. (27) All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to Jehovah; and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. (28) For the kingdom is Jehovah's; and He is the ruler among the nations. (29) All the fat ones on the earth shall eat and worship; all those who go down to the dust shall bow before Him; and none can keep alive his own soul. (30) A seed shall serve Him; it shall be spoken of Jehovah to the coming generation. (31) They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness to a people that shall yet be born, that He has done this.

Psalm 22: 2 (MKJV) O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not answer; and in the night, and am not silent.
Fulfillment:
Luke 22:41-46 (MKJV) And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw. And He kneeled down and prayed, (42) saying, Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done. (43) And an angel appeared to Him from Heaven, strengthening Him. (44) And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly. And His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (45)And when He rose up from prayer and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping because of sorrow. (46) And He said to them, Why do you sleep? Rise and pray lest you enter into temptation.

Hebrews 5:7-8 (Contemporary English Version - CEV) God had the power to save Jesus from death. And while Jesus was on earth, he begged God with loud crying and tears to save him. He truly worshiped God, and God listened to his prayers. (8) Jesus is God's own Son, but still he had to suffer before he could learn what it really means to obey God.
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Psalm 22: 3-5 (American Standard Version - ASV) But You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. (4) Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. (5) They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed.
Fulfillment:
Matthew 20:28 (ASV) even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Isaiah 53:10-11 (ASV) Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand. (11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.

Romans 8:32 (ASV) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?
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Psalm 22: 6 (MKJV) But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people.
Fulfillment:
Matthew 27:20-26 (CEV) But the chief priests and the leaders convinced the crowds to ask for Barabbas to be set free and for Jesus to be killed. (21) Pilate asked the crowd again, "Which of these two men do you want me to set free?" "Barabbas!" they replied. (22) Pilate asked them, "What am I to do with Jesus, who is called the Messiah?" They all yelled, "Nail him to a cross!" (23) Pilate answered, "But what crime has he done?" "Nail him to a cross!" they yelled even louder. (24) Pilate saw that there was nothing he could do and that the people were starting to riot. So he took some water and washed his hands in front of them and said, "I won't have anything to do with killing this man. You are the ones doing it!" (25) Everyone answered, "We and our own families will take the blame for his death!" (26) Pilate set Barabbas free. Then he ordered his soldiers to beat Jesus with a whip and nail him to a cross.
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Psalm 22: 7-8 (MKJV) All who see Me mock me; they shoot out the lip; they shake the head, saying, (8) He trusted on Jehovah; let Him deliver Him; let Him rescue Him, since He delights in Him!
Fulfillment:
Matthew 26:67 (CEV) Then they spit in his face and hit him with their fists. Others slapped him

Luke 23:10-11 (CEV) Then the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses stood up and accused him of all kinds of bad things. (11) Herod and his soldiers made fun of Jesus and insulted him. They put a fine robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.

Matthew 27:39-44 (CEV) People who passed by said terrible things about Jesus. They shook their heads and (40) shouted, "So you're the one who claimed you could tear down the temple and build it again in three days! If you are God's Son, save yourself and come down from the cross!" (41) The chief priests, the leaders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses also made fun of Jesus. They said, (42) "He saved others, but he can't save himself. If he is the king of Israel, he should come down from the cross! Then we will believe him. (43) He trusted God, so let God save him, if he wants to. He even said he was God's Son." (44) The two criminals also said cruel things to Jesus.

Isaiah 53:3-5 (Easy To Read Version - ERV) People made fun of him, and even his friends left him. He was a man who suffered a lot of pain and sickness. We treated him like someone of no importance, like someone people will not even look at but turn away from in disgust. (4) The fact is, it was our suffering he took on himself; he bore our pain. But we thought that God was punishing him, that God was beating him for something he did. (5) But he was being punished for what we did. He was crushed because of our guilt. He took the punishment we deserved, and this brought us peace. We were healed because of his pain.
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Psalm 22:9-11 (MKJV) For You are He who took Me out of the womb, causing Me to trust while on My mother's breasts. (10) I was cast on You from the womb; You are My God from My mother's belly. (11) Be not far from Me; for trouble is near, for there is none to help.
Fulfillment (how God took care of the baby Jesus and His Mother after He was born):
Mattew 1:18-25 (CEV) This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David's family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God's Holy Spirit. (19) Joseph was a good man and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding. (20) While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, "Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. (21) Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (22) So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, (23) "A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel," which means "God is with us." (24) After Joseph woke up, he and Mary were soon married, just as the Lord's angel had told him to do. (25) But they did not sleep together before her baby was born. Then Joseph named him Jesus.
Matthew 2:1-23 (CEV) When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem (2) and said, "Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." (3) When King Herod heard about this, he was worried, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem. (4) Herod brought together the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses and asked them, "Where will the Messiah be born?" (5) They told him, "He will be born in Bethlehem, just as the prophet wrote, (6) 'Bethlehem in the land of Judea, you are very important among the towns of Judea. From your town will come a leader, who will be like a shepherd for my people Israel.' " (7) Herod secretly called in the wise men and asked them when they had first seen the star. (8) He told them, "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, let me know. I want to go and worship him too." (9) The wise men listened to what the king said and then left. And the star they had seen in the east went on ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. (10) They were thrilled and excited to see the star. (11) When the men went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshiped him. They took out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and gave them to him. (12) Later they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back home by another road. (13) After the wise men had gone, an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up! Hurry and take the child and his mother to Egypt! Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is looking for the child and wants to kill him." (14) That night, Joseph got up and took his wife and the child to Egypt, (15) where they stayed until Herod died. So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, "I called my son out of Egypt." (16) When Herod found out that the wise men from the east had tricked him, he was very angry. He gave orders for his men to kill all the boys who lived in or near Bethlehem and were two years old and younger. This was based on what he had learned from the wise men. (17) So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet Jeremiah had said, (18) "In Ramah a voice was heard crying and weeping loudly. Rachel was mourning for her children, and she refused to be comforted, because they were dead." (19) After King Herod died, an angel from the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph while he was still in Egypt. (20) The angel said, "Get up and take the child and his mother back to Israel. The people who wanted to kill him are now dead." (21) Joseph got up and left with them for Israel. (22) But when he heard that Herod's son Archelaus was now ruler of Judea, he was afraid to go there. Then in a dream he was told to go to Galilee, (23) and they went to live there in the town of Nazareth. So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, "He will be called a Nazarene."
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Psalm 22: 12-16(MKJV) Many bulls have circled around Me; strong bulls Of Bashan have surrounded Me. (13) They opened wide their mouths on Me, like a ripping and a roaring lion. (14) I am poured out like water, and all My bones are spread apart; My heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of My bowels. (15) My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws;
Fulfillment:
Mark 14:32-35(CEV) Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he told them, "Sit here while I pray." (33) Jesus took along Peter, James, and John. He was sad and troubled and (34) told them, "I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me." (35) Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt down on the ground and prayed, "Father, if it is possible, don't let this happen to me! Father, you can do anything. Don't make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want."

Matthew 27:1-2 (CEV) Early the next morning all the chief priests and the nation's leaders met and decided that Jesus should be put to death. (2) They tied him up and led him away to Pilate the governor.
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Psalm 22: 16-17 (MKJV) and You have brought Me into the dust of death. For dogs have circled around Me; the band of spoilers have hemmed Me in, piercers of My hands and My feet. (17) I can count all My bones; they look and stare at Me.
Fulfillment:
Luke 23:33 *CEV) When the soldiers came to the place called "The Skull," they nailed Jesus to a cross. They also nailed the two criminals to crosses, one on each side of Jesus.
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Psalm 22: 17-18 (MKJV) I can count all My bones; they look and stare at Me. (18) They divide My garments among them and cast lots for My clothing.
Fulfillment:
Mark 15:24 (CEV) They nailed Jesus to a cross and gambled to see who would get his clothes.
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Psalm 22: 22 (MKJV) I will declare Your name to My brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise You.
Fulfillment:
John 17:6-8 (International Standard Version - ISV) I have made your name known to these men whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. (7) Now they realize that everything you gave me comes from you, (8) because the words that you gave me I passed on to them. They have received them and know for sure that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me.
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Psalm 22: 24-31 (MKJV) You who fear Jehovah, praise Him; all of you, the seed of Jacob, glorify Him; and fear Him all the seed of Israel. (24) For He has not despised nor hated the affliction of the afflicted; and He has not hidden His face from him, but when he cried to Him, He heard. (25) My praise shall be of You in the great congregation; I will pay My vows before the ones who fear Him. (26) The meek shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Jehovah shall praise Him; your heart shall live forever. (27) All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to Jehovah; and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. (28) For the kingdom is Jehovah's; and He is the ruler among the nations. (29) All the fat ones on the earth shall eat and worship; all those who go down to the dust shall bow before Him; and none can keep alive his own soul. (30) A seed shall serve Him; it shall be spoken of Jehovah to the coming generation. (31) They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness to a people that shall yet be born, that He has done this.
Fulfillment:
In the future
Philippians 2:9-11 (MKJV) Therefore God has highly exalted Him, and has given Him a name which is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of heavenly ones, and of earthly ones, and of ones under the earth; (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Now that we've set up the background, let's look at one verse in particular.

Psalm 22: 6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people.

Thanks to Dr. Craig Edwards and his sermon at our church on 3/28/2016, I learned the depth of this simple verse.

Why would Jesus call Himself a "worm"? If we check Strong's Exhaustive Concordance we learn that the word for "worm" is Tola. Tola (8438) is Hebrew and means a maggot; specifically the crimson grub (aka Scarlet Worm). So what is the Crimson Grub/Scarlet Worm [coccus ilicis]?

It is a grub and the female attaches itself to a tree in preparation to having babies. She only has babies once in her lifetime. Once attached to the wood, her outer body forms a scarlet hard shell. She cannot be removed without it killing her. She lays her eggs under the protective shell. Once they hatch, the larvae remain under the shell and feed upon the living body of their mother. After a few days, the larvae have grown enough to take care of themselves and the mother dies. As she dies, she oozes a crimson or scarlet red dye which not only stains the wood she is attached to, but also her young children. They are colored scarlet red for the rest of their lives. After three days, the dead mother’s body loses its crimson color and turns into a white wax which falls to the ground like snow. It soon disappears. Scarlet dye is made from the dried bodies of the females. The Israelites would use the dye to color fabric.

What does the Tola worm have to do with Jesus? Jesus was crucified on the wood from a tree. He voluntarily gave Himself in order to save us. Even though it was Roman soldiers who hammered the nails, Jesus could have stopped it at any time by calling the angels from Heaven to His aid.

Matthew 26:51-54 (CEV) One of Jesus' followers pulled out a sword. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. (52) But Jesus told him, "Put your sword away. Anyone who lives by fighting will die by fighting. (53) Don't you know that I could ask my Father, and right away he would send me more than twelve armies of angels? (54) But then, how could the words of the Scriptures come true, which say that this must happen?"

Why did Jesus have to be sacrificed on a tree? Because Adam and Eve sinned by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Genesis 2:16-17 (MKJV) And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree in the garden, (17) but you shall not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

They disobeyed God and ate from this tree bringing sin into the world. Adam and Eve were perfect humans when they sinned. It would take the blood of a perfect human to pay the price and there was no perfect human! We are born in sin and we sin continuously. We could not save ourselves. So God provided the way. He sent His Son, Jesus. Through His mother, Mary, Jesus was fully human. Through His Father, Jehovah God, Jesus was fully divine. This God man was born sinless and remained sinless and so was able to pay the price.

So Jesus gave His life for us. He naturally was hesitant to undergo the tortures that were coming along with His death and separation from His Father. But He was willing because it was the only way to save us.

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (ERV) "A man might be guilty of a sin that must be punished by death. People might kill him and hang his body on a tree. (23) You must not let that body stay on the tree overnight. You must be sure to bury this man on the same day, because the one who hangs on a tree is cursed by God, and you must not let the land that the LORD your God is giving you become unclean.

Galatians 3:13-14 (ERV) The law says we are under a curse for not always obeying it. But Christ took away that curse. He changed places with us and put himself under that curse. The Scriptures say, "Anyone who is hung on a tree is under a curse." (14) Because of what Jesus Christ did, the blessing God promised to Abraham was given to all people. Christ died so that by believing in him we could have the Spirit that God promised.

By His sacrifice, we could be saved and all those who accept Jesus as their Savior are born again as children of God. In essence, He was crucified to give birth to those who would become Christians, children of God. Just as the Scarlet Worm attached itself to a tree in order to give birth and multiply. The scarlet shell protected the newborn larvae in it's infancy and the newborn feed off the mother. As newborn babes in Christ, He protects us and fills us with the Holy Spirit to empower, train and mature us.

Once the mother dies, the scarlet shell turns white and falls off the tree and disappears. Just as Jesus has taken on our sin, those sins are permanently removed from us. They are gone forever.

Isaiah 1:18 (MKJV) Come now, and let us reason together, says Jehovah; though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.

As He sends us into the world to be His witnesses, we are stained with the red blood of Jesus. This permanently marks us as being saved, being a child of God. He gave His very blood for us. We are saved and cleansed by His blood. We are now white as snow! Our sins forever gone!

We learned that the Israelites used the Crimson Worm to make red dye. God instructed the Israelites to use scarlet dye in making the Tabernacle and the High Priest's garments.

Exodus 25:3-7 (MKJV) And this is the offering which you shall take of them: gold, and silver, and brass, (4) and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and bleached linen, and goats' hair, (5) and rams' skins dyed red, and dugong skins, and acacia-wood, (6) oil for the light, spices for anointing oil and for sweet incense, (7) onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breast-pocket.

Exodus 26:1 (MKJV) And you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined bleached linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet. You shall make them with cherubs, of the work of a cunning workman.

Exodus 28:5-6 (MKJV) And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and bleached linen. (6) And they shall make the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, scarlet, and fine twined bleached linen, skilled work.

The Tabernacle represented God's dwelling place on earth. We are now God's dwelling place on earth. And the only way we could be His dwelling place, where His Holy Spirit dwells, is through the cleansing blood of Jesus. The red in the linen curtains and veil of the Tabernacle represents the cleansing blood of Jesus who provided the way to reconciliation with the Father.

The High Priest was the one selected by God to come into His Presence to represent the people. God left explicit instructions on the garments of the High Priest and his duties. Jesus is our High Priest and He presents us to the Father.

Hebrews 2:16-17 (CEV) Jesus clearly did not come to help angels, but he did come to help Abraham's descendants. (17) He had to be one of us, so that he could serve God as our merciful and faithful high priest and sacrifice himself for the forgiveness of our sins.